AUSTIN, Texas — Texas assistant coach Major Applewhite has acknowledged he was disciplined by the school for having an inappropriate relationship with a student while in Arizona for the 2009 Fiesta Bowl.

In separate statements released Friday night, Applewhite and athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Applewhite had his pay frozen for a year and was ordered to undergo counseling. Applewhite also was warned that a repeat offense would have more serious consequences.

In his statement, Applewhite said he was embarrassed by the incident. Neither Applewhite or the school released further details.

Dodds called the incident something that happened between consenting adults and considered it resolved.

Texas women's track coach Bev Kearney resigned in January as the school was in the process of firing her for having a relationship with one of her athletes in 2002.

While the punishment for both parties may appear uneven on the surface, there are two important distinctions to make. First, Applewhite’s relations were with an adult student, while Kearney’s were with one of the athletes she coached. Secondly, Applewhite’s behavior is described as a one-time occurrence compared to Kearney’s relationship.

Applewhite made a statement that was provided to The Daily Texan, which read in full: "Several years ago, I made a regretful decision resulting in behavior that was totally inappropriate. It was a one-time occurrence and was a personal matter. Shortly after it occurred, I discussed the situation with (athletic director) DeLoss Dodds. I was upfront and took full responsibility for my actions. This is and was resolved four years ago with the University.

"Through counsel I have worked with my wife and the incident is behind us. I am regretful for my mistake and humbled by this experience. I am deeply sorry for the embarrassment it has caused my friends, family, and the University. I appreciate all of them. I’ve learned and grown from this and look forward to my work at Texas."

Meanwhile, Dodds issued his own statement, which read in part: “After learning of his behavior (in January 2009), I took immediate action to review the situation. We promptly initiated an inquiry with assistance from the university’s Legal Affairs office and other units outside of Athletics. Major admitted his inappropriate conduct and he was disciplined. In determining appropriate discipline, we analyze the facts and circumstances surrounding the behavior and its relation to job responsibilities. Major fully accepted his discipline, including counseling. We have high standards for behavior and expect our staff and coaches to adhere to them in all aspects of their lives. I believe that the appropriate discipline was taken in this case."

The reason that either relationship is a matter of relevance or importance is because the university enacted a policy in 2001 that said all relationships between coaches and athletes, or supervisors and subordinates be disclosed, The Daily Texan reported. Failure to do so would be “subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination,” the newspaper reported, citing the school’s handbook.

Gene Powell, the chairman of the Texas Board of Regents, and system Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa said they learned about the discipline "a short time ago" and their reaction was "great disappointment and sadness."

"At our direction, the General Counsel to the Board has posted notice of a special called meeting of the Board on Sunday afternoon, February 3rd, so that the Board can be fully briefed on issues related to this matter in executive session," Powell and Cigarroa said in a joint statement. The Regents meeting's agenda includes: “Discussion regarding legal issues considering individual athletics personnel” and “Discussion regarding legal issues related to inappropriate relationships between employees and students.”